According to the police the seven youth had begun their climb on the Knuckles Range along the Bambarella-Kalupahana route on Saturday (April 7) morning. Our correspondent noted that the group is aged between 22 and 26 and are residents of Homagama, Galle, Kegalle, and Attanagalla.

The group had begun their climb from Bambarella had lost their way the next morning and were unable to retrace their route back. While they had informed their families, due to communication difficulties, their families were unable to contact them again.

A police search and rescue operation commenced after the families called the 119 emergency hot-line. A six-hour long search operation failed to yield any hints on the whereabouts of the missing hikers.

The police were later informed that four of the youth had descended the Knuckles range and were at the Bambarella entrance. The other three had already left for their homes.

Our correspondent noted that the youth were taken to the Panvila Police Station in order to record statements from them.